Motorcycling

After 25 successive seasons in motorcycling's top class, the Honda Pons team has announced they will not be taking part in this year's MotoGP championship after failing to secure a new sponsorship deal.

"Difficulties in securing sufficient financial support for its 2006 project have prompted the team to take the decision to pull out of competition this year," Honda Pons said in a statement. However, the team, which is managed by Spain's former double 250cc world champion Sito Pons, said it was aiming to make a return to competition in 2007.